Abstract
We report the preparation, thermal and micro/nanomechanical behavior of poly (vinylidine diflouride) (PVDF)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites. It has been found that the addition of MWCNT considerably enhances the β-phase formation, thermal and mechanical properties of PVDF. Atomic force microscope (AFM) studies have been performed on the composites under stress conditions to measure the mechanical properties. The nanoscale mechanical properties of the composites like Young's modulus and hardness of the nanocomposites were investigated by nanoindentation technique. Morphological studies of the nanocomposites were also studied, observations show a uniform distribution of MWCNT in the matrix and interfacial adhesion between PVDF and MWCNT was achieved, which was responsible for enhancement in the hardness and Young's modulus. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate that the melting temperature of the composites have been slightly increased while the heat of fusion markedly decreased with increasing MWCNT content.
Highlights
PVDF is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer which has four crystalline phases, among which more attention has been focused to the β-phase because of its piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties
Thermal and micro/nanomechanical behavior of poly (PVDF)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate that the melting temperature of the composites have been slightly increased while the heat of fusion markedly decreased with increasing MWCNT content
Summary
PVDF is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer which has four crystalline phases, among which more attention has been focused to the β-phase because of its piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. In this work the polymer nanocomposite was prepared by solvent casting method other than melt processing, because the dispersion and distribution of MWCNT by melt mixing process is very poor and there are chances of polymer degradation. The first method has been adopted to make the polymer nanocomposites with PVDF and MWCNT. These composites were undergone with different characterization techniques. Mechanical behavior of these films has been investigated by nanoindentation with controlled constant-load experiments. Morphological and thermal studies been reported in this article
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
